Moom vs Rectangle
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Moom is a macOS window management utility from Many Tricks that adds fast ways to move and resize windows beyond macOS's built-in options. Hovering over a window's zoom button (or using a hotkey) pops up a customizable palette of up to 61 positioning actions, letting users snap a window to halves, quarters, or custom grid positions in a click or two. Beyond one-off positioning, Moom can save entire window layouts and restore them later, chain multiple actions together, and be operated entirely from the keyboard. It is a one-time purchase for macOS 10.13 and newer, with a free trial available before buying, and has been maintained by Many Tricks for many years with continued updates.
Rectangle is a free and open source window management utility for macOS that lets users move and resize windows using keyboard shortcuts or by dragging them to screen edges and corners to snap into place. It supports cycling through multiple window sizes by repeating a shortcut, and works with portrait display orientations for vertical monitor setups. The free version covers the core snapping and shortcut functionality, while Rectangle Pro unlocks quicker window snapping and custom shortcuts for any size and position, sold as a subscription with a 10-day free trial and support for up to three devices per license. Rectangle runs natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 10.15 or later, and is built as a near drop-in replacement for the discontinued Spectacle app.
- Far more flexible than macOS's native window snapping options
- One-time purchase rather than a subscription
- Layout saving is genuinely useful for recurring multi-monitor setups
- Long track record from an established indie Mac developer
- Free and open source core app
- Lightweight, keyboard-driven workflow
- Near drop-in replacement for the discontinued Spectacle
- Native Apple Silicon and Intel support
- macOS only, no Windows or Linux version
- $15 price point where some competitors offer similar snapping for free
- Some advanced features (action chaining, grids) take time to configure well
- macOS only, no Windows or Linux version
- Custom shortcuts and quicker snapping require the paid Pro subscription
- Pro free trial is limited to 10 days
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Moom
View all →Alternatives to Rectangle
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMoom offers a one‑time paid, feature‑rich window‑layout manager; Rectangle provides a free, open‑source core with optional paid Pro for extra shortcuts.
Key differences
- •Pricing model – Moom is a $15 one‑time purchase, Rectangle is free with a paid Pro upgrade.
- •Layout saving – Moom can save and restore full multi‑window layouts; Rectangle’s free version does not.
- •Customization depth – Moom includes action chaining, custom grids, and hover‑resize; Rectangle Pro adds custom shortcuts but core is simpler.
- •Open source – Rectangle’s base app is open source, Moom is closed source.
Pricing & value
Rectangle core is free; Moom costs $15 upfront.
Ease of use / learning curve
Rectangle uses simple keyboard shortcuts; Moom’s advanced actions require more configuration.
Features & depth
Moom offers layout saving, custom grids, action chaining, and hover‑resize not present in Rectangle free.
Integrations & ecosystem
Both are macOS‑only desktop apps with no API; neither integrates with other platforms.
Support
Moom has a long track record from an established indie developer; Rectangle’s support is community‑driven.
Security & privacy
Both run locally on macOS with no disclosed data collection; no differences specified.
Migration / lock‑in
Rectangle’s open‑source nature makes switching easier; Moom’s one‑time purchase locks you into its ecosystem.
Choose Moom if…
Power users needing saved multi‑monitor layouts and advanced grid controls.
Choose Rectangle if…
Users who want a free, lightweight window manager and are okay with basic snapping.
Common questions
Can I try Moom before buying?
Not specified in the provided facts.
Does Rectangle support saving full window layouts?
No, layout saving is not listed as a feature for Rectangle.
Is there a cost to get custom shortcut support in Rectangle?
Yes, custom shortcuts and quicker snapping require the paid Pro subscription.
